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	                (The novel, a fragment) 

	         I like to wander I over trjasinoju 
	               Shivering spark, 
		   I like for sticky pautinoju 
		         To be concealed by a spider, 
		   I like to fly I in the field a gadfly 
		         And to sting horses, 
		   I like to be an obvious, secret occasion 
		         To torture of people. 
		   I malicious, sick, is mad-vindictive, 
		         For that tomljus and. 
		   My silent groan, my cry sluggish — 
		         Reproaches to heavens. 
		   The destiny has given me a flesh corrupted, 
		         The poisoned blood. 
		   I have loved mechtoju plennoju 
		         Mad love. 
		   My vicious languor, 
		         All by what I am seduced, — 
		   In mighty charms of delusion 
		         Diverse dream. 
		   			           F.Sologub 

                           PROLOGUE 

     Slot Ljuger by a nickname the Egyptian vulture was not from those whom expects 
Serene old age and peace death in own bed. He tried 
So to die, but has not found rest. The hand it has killed the son, and servants 
The star House have taken away from it the daughter... 
     It should revive on the ashes of the estate and the 
Destinies, near to the charred remains of the model representing it 
Beloved — queen Tenes. The huge fire was not cleaning 
Also has not brought anything, except an intolerable pain. Ljuger remembered, how burnt it 
Clothes and as the skin of that which slept on fire burst, not ceasing 
To smile. Then he had already nothing to look... 
     From a pain and the profaned hope he has taken a forbidden name, and phantoms 
Its clan have come behind it. They have transferred the scorched Egyptian vulture to the 
Timeless desert, rescuing from definitive destruction. 
     Having returned therefrom, it has for ever lost a human body. It 
Was last blow, it is irreversible changed representation Ljugera about 
The higher justice. He was simply convinced of its absence. He has heard 
The silent voice of a damnation sounding from the moment of its birth, and this time not 
Began to oppose to call... 
     It any more was not the person and painfully worried the compelled exile 
From the world of people. Then he had to recollect that it still remains 
Knight Zemmura and the owner of one of northern flights. As he understood now 
The unfortunate father who led so illusive existence! 
But Ljuger it was not satisfied with it. 
     Somebody was necessary to it to embody the black plans, to use 
New properties to test new destiny, say, pure, as sheet 
Papers on which it would be possible to deduce ominous signs. And the Egyptian vulture 
Has found such person. He had to wait for an opportunity seven years, but 
After all at its order there was half of eternity... 

                       PART THE FIRST 
                    THE ELECT OF THE PHANTOM 

                       The first chapter 
                        WITHOUT THE FLESH 

     It came back from a crimson hell and even now shuddered for horror. 
This time knights have started up it much further. To it have allowed to make a little 
Steps among sad intolerable shouts and plaints also have allowed to see 
That occurred behind a foggy veil... 
     In comparison with seen any terrestrial angrily seemed an innocent joke. 
The source of other-wordly magic has bewitched Ljugera, has transformed into the 
The servant. On that party of a veil any more does not remain places for human 
Morals and usual instincts. There Ljuger has ceased to be a being, to which 
It was necessary to reconcile with losses and to excuse to their destiny. 
     ... It was embodied in a body dying of burns. When in 
The world there was time, Slot felt chained 
In a bony armour also has not seen anything, except burning blackness. 
Then it has reached, that all its skin was baked and has turned 
In a firm crust, with which ssohlis clothes tatter. 
Intolerably the bald skull itched. Ljuger at all did not feel burnt out 
Eyes and the bared gums. The swelled language hardly found room in a mouth... 
     Here, among stone walls of the burnt down house, still 
Smelt as its own burnt meat. Besides, any 
The unfamiliar smell proceeded from a skeleton which was based upon a box 
From coals... The Subsequent some seconds have been filled by horror, 
Up to the end clear only to the one who continues to exist 
After physical death. 
     Never it is more at it there will be women... Never it is more 
It will not get drunk in a heat of water from a mountain stream. Never 
Small pleasure of rest after a heavy way will feel and, 
The most important thing, cannot continue the sort... It for certain 
Has begun to cry, if burnt plaintive glands allowed to make it. 
     After such suffering any person cannot 
To remain former, and Ljuger for a long time already was not quite the person. 
Instead of the heart pierced stiletom, it has received heart 
Unearthly creature, and the ancient being from Wood of Witches is irreversible 
Has changed its consciousness. 
     It was required it is not enough to push off it in a precipice of madness, 
But it was absolutely especial madness. It had the unique purpose — 
To exist in any accessible way; and it was penetrated by the unique 
Unsatiable passion — desire to find the lost nature. 
     Trying to avoid a nightmare, Ljuger has begun transformation, but 
Has not had time to finish it. For ever to remain a bird or an animal? 
Is better it remains the dead person... About, now he has tested that, 
That tested its enemy, dying of a sword or poisoned 
Needles. Only it was necessary to enemies is much worse — usually at them not 
Remains a choice... 
     At the moment of transformation of a body it has again appeared in red 
To desert. Ancient knights have surrounded it, rescuing that else 
It was possible to rescue. To it does not remain anything else, except as 
To become one of them. 
     It has felt their mournful kisses, as if touches ice 
Damp wind, — kisses of phantoms which were closer now to it, 
Than Tenes... The Damned clan all the same has received it, and incorporeal essence 
Egyptian vulture has found a new, illusive life. 
     Pushed out at night which has spread the black bed curtains over 
Validiej, Ljuger has again appeared in the burnt down house. It was a shade, 
The Moon penetrated by light and stars. About a devil, now it could 
To see! But did not see itself and suspected, that it 
The shape substantially depends on imagination and memory 
The looking. In the world does not remain almost anybody who would remember how it 
Looked earlier. 
     But Ljuger well remembered, how looked SHarkad Gadames — 
The silhouette which was not rejecting shades, something with dim yellow eyes 
Without pupils... Now Slot has comprehended also sense of the words said 
That who has enticed it for the first time into vault Fruat-Gojma: "Here 
Live similar to me — not dead, but also not live... For me 
There are no obstacles, but the matter and a flesh are not subject to me. 
I am created by magic of League not Born and I can disappear only together with it... " 
     ... The Old park has completely burnt out. The turned black statues the pagan 
Idols stuck out among wood trunks. The top floor of the house has been filled up 
Fragments of the fallen roof. The wind is melancholy howled, and from it we howl 
Weak vibrations of the spirits which have lost the centuries-old refuges merged. 
     Egyptian vulture, without effort pronikshy through a stone wall of the second 
Floor, it has appeared in the former bedroom. It has overcome a wall in the thickness in 
Palm. Sensations were same, as at immersing in hardly more dense 
Environment, than water, or at movement towards to a strong wind. 
     Among ashes laid ancient zemmursky a sword from the scorched 
Handle, sheath and smoked klinkom — an oppressive symbol 
Definitive defeat... Conjectural pack Ljugera became 
Dust which was dispelled by a wind. The same as also a chimney shelf, 
On which it laid. 
     Slot zavis over a mirror fragment, but has not seen the reflexion. 
In a mirror there were only obscured stars in boundlessness of the night sky. 
     Stuffed animals have completely burnt down, and last reminder on former glory of a sort 
Ljugerov has disappeared from the face of the earth. Fire has ruthlessly destroyed the magnificent 
Library and attributes of magic, the magic harp and an openwork wheel have burnt down... 
All threads connecting the Egyptian vulture with this place have been torn off. 
     The restless spirit has slowly emerged over a singing cemetery 
The past, and the wind blowing on that aspect of life, has carried away it in 
Party Zemmura. From the human point of view its moving 
Was almost instant. And clouds did not render the present wind 
Any influence on its movement. It flied there, where even light 
Stars does not disperse darkness, and felt presence — approach or 
Removal — other phantoms. All of them floated by and avoided 
Meetings. Their loneliness was hopeless and ruthless. Clots 
Spiteful horror wandered in boundless emptiness... 

                        *    *    *

     Egyptian vulture have met in vicinities Darm-Passarga — 
Ancient capital Zemmura and, probably, oldest of the live 
Cities of the Earth. Its approach does not remain not noticed. 
Ljuger tested pressure of an accruing wave of animosities, fury, 
Disgust, but the meeting was inevitable, and he even precisely knew, what 
The shade expects it in a tower of the thrown observatory of werewolves. 
     If it had a body, it would be held down by catalepsy. 
The unknown magic has shrouded in its networks and has subjected 
To the perverted and humiliating ritual. The founder of nightmares 
Has started in it the invisible feelers. After very short 
Time of guards of capital knew, the deadly enemy has how much strongly changed 
Werewolves. More than that is it knew, that change is irreversible. 
     The observatory was far from roads and villages. 
Towers settled down in corners of a correct polygon and 
In itself served as astronomical tools. They 
Seemed even more shabby of that their walls were 
Are penetrated by through apertures and arch passes. Inside 
Polygon the difficult system of platforms has been constructed for 
Supervision, gnomonov, a sundial, moving platforms. 
     Ljuger there was here at late night, when only an illusive 
Star light wandered in a time of towers and dusty beams slid 
On the cooled down stones, repeating the same thousand-year game. 
Domes Darm-Passarga black hills laid on horizon, 
But the Egyptian vulture have stopped on approaches to a city. 
     Its silhouette has hung over the central platform, and a huge plate, 
Remaining motionless within two centuries, has trembled that 
It was easier than air, and the beginnings it is heavy to turn about the axis, 
As if a mill millstone. 
     When night stars have coincided with apertures in a southern tower, 
Attention Ljugera has involved a weak silvery luminescence in the narrow 
Window under the roof. It was the mirror which has reflected yet 
The ascended Eye of the Devil. In a cone of this unreal light 
Helpless shade Slota has risen upwards, carried away by force 
Black magic. 
     ... It has appeared in a room without doors — in a stone bag, 
Which inhabitants Zemmura fondly built for the spirits, — and 
Has seen the one who named itself(himself) Glanom, — the master of League 
Not born, the victim in Fruat-Gojme. 
     Light reflected by a dusty mirror, fell on the Egyptian vulture, 
The werewolf remained in a shade. However its eyes dimly flickered — 
Two narrow wounds on a pale face. The long lean figure was based in a niche, 
Similar to a sarcophagus. Thin fingers Glana coiled, as if hearts. 
     Ljuger has seen its such what has remembered though a phantom substance 
Was unsteady and uncertain. But the Egyptian vulture did not test panic, 
paralizujushchego fear, as then, in a human body, near to a plate, on 
By which it has been bewitched Segejla. Now it has lost everything, that was possible 
To lose, and became almost impregnable. The inclination to a harm source has made it 
Voluntary the servant of League. 
     — I have underestimated you, a creature, — have said Glan from within the smoking 
Shades. Its voice was stretched by a vibrating thread to Ljugeru and was naked emotion, 
Instead of a sound. 
     Slot has silently burst out laughing. His laughter has appeared not more cheerfully the widow groan. 
     — You were right. I yours forever. 
     Glan has brought down on it the boundless hatred of a victim, 
But the Egyptian vulture remained is indifferent and unshakable. A phantom not Born 
Has some times changed the outlines, and two bloody pupils randomly 
Were swept up in a whitish pool of the person. 
     — Find to us new servants among living, — has spoken, at last, 
The master. — you will receive any help. A payment for it — kingdom Belfur. 
You still a baron and the guard of northern limit. Gha-Guly will help 
To your elect as helped you. 
     Ljuger has suddenly felt, that black force has ceased 
To keep it. Moreover, it has got access to secret refuges 
zemmurskih spirits, in particular, — queens Jaseldy and almost all 
Masters of League whom has buried in Fruat-Gojme. In the live 
Remains only two — those who was on continent and not 
Accepted participations in dedication ritual. These two still undividedly 
Operated a box known in the western kingdoms, as Grey Flight, 
Trying to restore reeled influence of werewolves in the west. 
     The loss put by the Egyptian vulture, was irreparable, but 
The infinite fault only connected it with harm more closely. This 
The monstrous spirit could not be destroyed or punished. He 
Became a damnation of kingdom Belfur and a cause of death of thousand 
People. Thus it operated through the intermediary who was 
As it is blind, as the person by name of Slot Ljuger. 

	                The chapter the second 
		       	  THE BABY 

     Childbirth was long and difficult. Madam Lane Solnak in 
To fever rushed about on a magnificent double bed, continually 
Failing in an unconsciousness haze. 
     Dimark, the personal doctor of duke Leviura, observed of it from a curve 
Smile, nothing helping the unfortunate. In a bedroom one burnt all 
Candle, and two nurses if saw this grin did not submit 
To kind. Dimark knew, that to it to do, if childbirth ends successfully. Two 
It at all did not take possible witnesses into consideration... 
     The yellow person of the doctor has been furrowed with wrinkles, and looked 
It is much more senior forty years. On the century it has seen so much, 
That could entertain within several months stories 
Devils in a hell. His hands skilfully cured, but have been empurpled 
Blood of innocent victims. Dimark was soul and a body it is betrayed to the duke — 
Simply because till now nobody has offered higher 
The price for its services. Now it was going to execute last dauntlessly 
The order of the owner. If, of course, the nature does not take care about all... 
     Lane has moaned and has whispered some words in delirium. 
She called the duke though that was last person which 
Would want to help it now. It has even more made laugh Dimarka, 
Never a missing case to mock at the immemorial human 
Nonsense. The doctor did not trust anybody and, knowing habits Leviura, 
Has taken some measures not to appear superfluous in game. As 
It was found out hardly later, it has not helped it. 

			*    *    *

     Madam Solnak long time was the mistress of the duke 
Leviura — the third party in kingdom Belfur it agree 
The standard hierarchy; however, evil tongues asserted, that on 
The business the royal couple entirely is under its influence. 
Lane, the lady soft and unsophisticated in political intrigues, 
Tested to the duke quite sincere attachment, that 
It was impossible to tell with accuracy about feelings of so slippery person, 
As Sauries Leviur. 
     The duke used to Lane in the purposes and it was, probably, 
The unique person at a royal court yard which did not guess about 
It. Duchess Leviur knew about intimacy of the husband, however also 
Made light of everything, as from all advantages of its duke 
Its money and position interested only. 
     When madam Solnak has become pregnant, Leviur has solved, what is it 
Too. The illegitimate child would be a hindrance, with 
Which existence it is impossible to reconcile. The duke at all did not wish 
To become a laughing-stock for all court yard, but also, to it followed 
To think and of the future — about that remote bottom when the successor will arise 
From a non-existence to declare the rights. 
     On the other hand, trouble seemed so 
Insignificant and legkoustranimoj, that day of sorts Leviur 
Has spent on royal hunting, having charged Dimarku to settle business. 
     At the disposal of the doctor there were some ways to please the owner. 
He has chosen most simple and fast. 

			*    *    *

     The coming sun hid behind towers Skel-Mogda. Fresh 
The wind has blown from the sea. Trees in park have softly rustled, dumping 
The foliage. Dimark has released all servants, and the house of madam Solnak has become empty — 
Short of four persons locked in a bedroom, that 
To be present at birth of the fifth. 
     Therefore nobody saw, how among dense thickets at a park fencing 
There was a dark high figure and silent sliding gait 
Has gone to ground floor windows. 
     Here the person has dumped a cape and some minutes stood, 
Having lifted up a head up, — as if sniffed to something. At it 
There was a flat nose, a narrow forehead and outstanding forward jaws. 
Small lead eyes dimly gleamed under the shaggy 
Eyebrows. Animal features gave out in him native Zemmura. 
     The man has pulled out because of a belt a dagger and with its help 
Has opened a window. Then has got into the house and, unmistakably being guided, 
Has gone to a ladder. Soon it has appeared at a door of a bedroom, 
Because of which the muffled female groans reached. Then 
To them heart-rending children's shout has increased. 
     Dimark was unaffected by this shout. The red wrinkled 
The person of the child was deformed by a grimace as though he had a presentiment, 
That expects it out of a parent belly. As soon as one of nurses 
Has accepted it, Lane has lost consciousness. 
     All went, as on the hand-written. The doctor has risen, that it is better to consider 
Illegitimate son Leviura. Has then dismissed a stranglehold covering 
Wrist, also has made an accurate loop. On this ritual habitual for it 
Has left no more than second. 
     Eyes of the woman holding the child, were approximated. Dimark 
On-fish looked at it, knowing, that nobody will hear shout and 
Nobody can prevent it. Fast movement it has thrown 
Loop on a neck of the baby also has made a pause, enjoying confusion 
Nurses. 
     The woman could not throw the child — in that case it would hang in 
To loop. It also could not strike Dimarka. She could not even cry... 
The second nurse paralysed by horror, watched the doctor... 
     Dimark has strained muscles and has started to tighten a loop. Shout 
The child has passed in rattle, and its person became crimson... The Door behind the back 
The doctor has swung open so silently, that it has caught only easy whiff 
Air. During a next instant he has felt a chilling touch, 
Any hindrance in the body. The thin needle has entered into heart and has interrupted inflow 
Blood to muscles. 
     ... Something prevented Dimarku to tighten a loop. He has seen 
The human brush which slipped out because of his back and has closed 
On a stranglehold fingers with the iron tips similar on 
Thimbles with claws. After a second the doctor has died, and not 
Having executed the responsible mission of duke Leviura... 
     The person with lines of the werewolf has picked up the become soft body and has silently lowered 
It on a floor. Having crossed through a corpse, it took from the nurse again shouted 
The baby also has put it near to mother. Has then removed from a finger of the insensible 
Women a ring with initials Leviura cut out in a stone. 
     Stilet, on round klinke which blood has not cooled down yet 
Dimarka, has again sparkled in twilight, plunging under the left breast 
Nurses. The werewolf has overtaken other woman at a door and has killed her 
One exact blow in a nape. Having convinced by that mother 
Has not regained consciousness yet, it has turned the child in bedsheets with embroidered on corners 
Symbols Solnak also had slowly went right from the bedroom filled in with blood. 
     Strangely enough, the baby has soon calmed down at it on hands. 
The man has carried by the extraction through evening park and left 
On silent street through an imperceptible back gate. 
     Here it was expected by the carriage. At the woman sitting in the carriage was frightened 
The person and dirty worn clothes. It has opened a dress and has involved 
The baby to the breast poured by milk. That has begun to suck greedy. 
Guttural shout of the driver cut darkness, and the crew has directed to the east 
To city collars. Two days later the carriage in general has left limits 
Kingdoms Belfur. 

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